Primary Menu

Where do you get your water?

I never quite have enough of the clear liquid when I’m on a backcountry trip, but I’m usually a bit more active, of course. It’s made me a bit more conscious of my hydration in my day-to-day life, however, and I know what it means when my hands have that mottled look under their skin, and I get a headache for no reason. Keeping hydrated is important, but do we need to be fanatical about it?

I try to drink often in my travels, and to replenish a good day of canoeing and portaging, I’ve taken to making my first night involve a good hearty pot of well-simmered soup. I used to mix a boatload of gatoraide with water that didn’t taste so good, but I’ve found my filter does a decent job, as long as I choose my water sources well. I could do without the sugar crash, and if I make sure I have my tea and hot chocolate in the afternoon and evenings, soup and noodles and oatmeal and veggies, I’m doing just fine when in camp.